Do you know what qi gong is? Qi gong is a popular Chinese practice dating back thousands of years. Its essence lies in Indian yoga, from which it takes certain key elements. Its adaptation to Chinese realities has followed three main philosophical currents.

These are Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Irrespective of the current taken into account, qi gong is a discipline that exploits the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. The benefits of qi gong and acupuncture are therefore not so different. Read on to find out more.

Focus on qi gong

Literally, qi gong means “breath control”. It’s a discipline that enables practitioners to control their breathing through static postures, dynamic sequences, self-massage and slow, gentle, harmonious movements.

The aim is to mobilize and nourish the energy that drives us, and thus boost our vitality. The benefits of qi gong on our human nature are numerous. Finding inner calm, balancing body, breath and mind, connecting with the inner self, to name but a few.

Although there are many different forms or techniques of qi gong, they are all based on the same principles. Qi gong is based on 3 principles:

Slow, relaxed body movements,
Breathing techniques synchronized with movement,
Concentration training.

The benefits of qi gong on the body come from all these elements. Generally speaking, static postures help to control vital energy. Movements, on the other hand, work the muscles and joints, strengthening them in the same way as tai chi.

Qi Gong is accessible to all. Indeed, age, let alone physical or mental condition, precludes the execution of its various techniques. In fact, they can be performed in place of the preliminaries to any physical or intellectual activity. All you need to do is execute the postures correctly, and you’ll reap the many benefits of chi gong. What’s more, the fixed postures and movements are beneficial in many ways.

Benefits of qi gong: the effects of each posture

It’s important to know all the postures of traditional Chinese gymnastics if you want to enjoy the benefits of chi gong. There are 20 essential movements, divided into four groups: general movements, the “sky” part, the “man” part and the “earth” part. Each of them calls upon specific areas of the body and produces specific effects.

For example, we have the rider’s posture, which enables the practitioner to reinforce leg stability. As a result, posture improves with repeated practice. The result is less back pain and greater freedom of movement.

The “heaven communicating with earth” posture is ideal for enjoying the benefits of qi gong, while filling up on energy for the day.

The “Water and fire harmonize” posture is effective against stress and improves cardiovascular function. By practicing this posture regularly, you can build up your self-confidence.

There are also 6 static Qi Gong postures:

Reclining posture;
Opening the cloud gate;
The green dragon rests on the earth;
Nourishing the energy of the Dan Tian;
Tree pose;
WuJi posture.

These help to root the body, to circulate energy throughout the body, or more specifically in a particular part. They can be combined with specific breathing techniques to reinforce your energy.

The benefits of qi gong vary according to the postures adopted. It is therefore necessary to apply them with great precision to minimize risks. In such cases, it may be essential to enlist the help of a specialist. Group practice is also a preferred alternative.

The health benefits of qi gong

Qi gong offers a number of benefits for both body and mind. These virtues have been known to the Chinese for centuries. Today, Western scientific research confirms that this practice can help prevent and manage a number of health problems. What’s more, they have found that qi gong has a multitude of benefits for the elderly and those suffering from chronic stress.

THE BENEFITS OF QI GONG FOR THE BRAIN
Practising qi gong requires us to make a constant effort to remember what needs to be done at every moment. As a result, memory-related faculties are used almost constantly during sessions. A child practising this discipline will therefore perform better at school. Similarly, an elderly person can improve his or her cognitive abilities and prevent memory disorders by practicing this activity.

What’s more, the subject’s creativity also increases. As a result, they become more productive. The practice of qi gong can therefore affect a person’s professional results. On top of this, the ability to integrate into society gradually improves.

BETTER STRESS MANAGEMENT
It’s a highly effective relaxation activity that’s safe for everyone. The movements are supple and relaxed, helping to loosen muscles. As a result, nervous tension dissipates and the practitioner regains an optimal state of well-being. The absence of stress is therefore one of the benefits of qi gong. The result is greater self-confidence and improved skills in many areas. It’s also an effective way to combat high blood pressure and psychological distress.

IMPROVED RESPIRATORY CAPACITY
Breathing control is one of the major pillars of qi gong. Assiduous practice of this discipline will improve your breathing rhythm. The intensity of exercises can be adjusted according to the sensations experienced by the practitioner. At the same time, they gain greater control over their emotions. This enables them to remain realistic in all circumstances.

All in all, these are the benefits of qi gong:

Reduction of chronic pain;
Vitality;
Reduced hypertension;
Better stress management;
Better sleep;
Greater flexibility;
Memory maintenance;
Improved health.

It’s up to you…

Have you ever practiced qi gong? How did it benefit you?